I'm just speculating, but due to the current political and diplomatic climate in Asia, it may be a moment when the North Korean regime will ignite another unexpected and disturbing geo-political incident.

Pyongyang does not like to be ignored, and right now Japan and China are grabbing media headlines over their territorial dispute in the South China Sea. North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, has advisors, who want to show off the country's militancy and it could serve as a distraction from other territorial disputes in the region.

Additionally, expect to see Pyongyang use a flimsy and irrational excuse for starting such shenanigans.

SINA English reports that, "the UN Security Council on Tuesday condemned the satellite launch on Dec. 12 by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), saying that Pyongyang 'used ballistic missile technology and was in violation of resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009).'"

The 15-nation UN body, adopted with unanimous consent, a resolution saying that it "condemns the DPRK’s launch of Dec. 12, 2013, which used ballistic missile technology and was in violation of resolutions 1718 (2006) and 1874 (2009)."

According to SINA, "the Council 'demands that the DPRK not proceed with any further launches using ballistic missile technology, and comply with resolutions… by suspending all activities related to its ballistic missiles program and in this context re-establishing its pre-existing commitments to a moratorium on missile launches,' said the resolution."

If a North Korean incident does occur, it could grab headlines, but would unlikely lead to an outbreak of World WAR III. However, if a military clash happens between Japan and China in the South China Sea that could lead to much more disastrous consequences. So Pyongyang can play the role as "useful distracter" for the Asia-Pacific region.